State takes up drinking water project issue with Karnataka

Tamil Nadu has taken up with Karnataka the issue of a drinking water project being implemented by the neighbouring State, drawing the Cauvery water at a point near the Mettur reservoir but within Karnataka limits.

Responding to concerns expressed by O. Paneerselvam (All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam), C. Gnanasekaran (Congress) and T. Sadan Thirumalai Kumar (Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) in the Assembly, Higher Education Minister K. Ponmudy said that the State could not oppose the drawal of the Cauvery water for drinking water projects as the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal's final award had provided for the quantum of water allocation for drinking water requirements of Karnataka.

He pointed out how the Cauvery water was sought to be drawn for a drinking water project covering Vellore district. Pointing out that a team of engineers of the State visited the project site, the Minister said the State government had written to the Karnataka government seeking information on it.

He assured the House that the government had been particular in defending the rights of Tamil Nadu.

On the Mullaperiyar dam controversy, he referred to the announcement by Kerala on the commencement of work on a new dam and said steps would be taken to initiate contempt of court proceedings in the Supreme Court.